Were-Jaguar

If you went back a thousand – or, let’s go back even farther, how about two thousand years – what would you find? Would you believe that you’d find evidence of shapeshifters– and in particular – were-jaguars!?

The ancient Olmec civilization of Mesoamerica – a pre-Columbian civilization that was one of the earliest civilizations in the Americas – left behind a number of ancient artifacts for us to study their culture – a culture that dated back as far as 1000 BC. Cave paintings, huge stone sculptures and ancient artifacts are all part of the legacy that they left us as evidence of their existence, and as influence for future civilizations. But one thing that really stands out in the artifacts that they left, is their belief in, and representations of shapeshifters!

Olmec Stone Sculpture of a WereJaguar

The Were-Jaguar – a half-human, half-animal creature – is depicted over and over again in Olmec art. Yes, the Olmecs believed in were-jaguars and shapeshifters!! Even more than believed in them – they worshipped them! The were-jaguar was not just a passing fad, or a story in a book to them. They were in fact a real part of their existence. In fact, in Olmec culture, the jaguar was considered a very special creature and was associated with rain and fertility. But they were more than animals, they were deeply integrated into their very selves. It is believed that the Olmec shamans transformed into the jaguar by wearing the animal’s skin – thus becoming the “were-jaguar”. This is interesting because many of the tales of how to become a werewolf or werecreature involve wearing something. For example, in perhaps the most famous of all cases – the famous werewolf case of Peter Stubbe – he had a magical belt that he put on to help himself transform. Could there be something to this? Are there special things out there in the world that would let you transform if you were to merely put them on? The Olmecs certainly thought so.

20 Responses

And I thought I new alot about the ancient cultures of Mexico! I never heard of a were-jaguar in the Olmec culture but I did know about the jaguar as a symbol of rain and fertility to them. Guess I do learn something new every day besides from school.

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@Marney I’m not sure about myself, but I’d say that Lycanhope is right as well. Unfortunately I have not come to a conclusion of what I am, but I have come to say that I am likely not exactly human, due to me being so different than others. It’s not that I have autism, i would be acting different if I had that. But myself, I have explained to EmCWolf and Verumiel my dillhema, however I have an identity crisis where I don’t know what I even am.. all I have yet to do is explain to others the actual scientific research on the subject I have learned, so that they can help me find out if I am one myself. I COULD be a were(something) but as you said, I fell victim to the werewolf belief myself. I could be something else, but as of right now all I can conclude is that I’m SOMETHING. If someone such as Lycanhope or someone else with knowledge could come on sometime, I could likely learn what I am. They say it’s a personal journey, yet I find that the journey I take I must take someone along to help keep me balanced to help me find out my identity, as I would do the same for them.

There are said to be four other types of were-jaguar, the one you described, half man, half jaguar, is called the nagaul, an evil were-jaguar that cannot be born, only bitten or scratched causing there death. But because of the bite/scratch, it brings the vengful person back as a nagaul. There are said to be four other species of the were-jaguar strain but I have yet to find any other evidence of them as much as I have the nagual.